Exploring Malaysia 
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National Parks & Reserves
Kinabalu Park
Covering 754 square kilometers, the Kinabalu National Park with the 4,101m high Mount Kinabalu as the focal point, is one of Sabah’s star attractions. The name Kinabalu is derived from the Kadazandusun words aki and nabalu, where aki literally means 'ancestor' and 'nabalu' is the Kadazandusun word for 'mountain'. The local Kadazandusun believed their spirits dwell on the mountaintop and as such the mountain is considered sacred by them.
The Park was declared Malaysia’s First World Heritage Site in 2000, a testament to the land’s diversity in plant, animal, insect and bird life. Stretching an area of about 7,537 square kilometres, it is a favourite spot among rock climbers, botanists, bird watchers and adventure seekers. Trekking here is the ultimate experience as well as the main attraction. There are several trails that lead to the summit of Mount Kinabalu. It takes at least two days and a night to reach the peak.
There are also some 5,000 to 6,000 species of vascular plants here, about 1,000 species of orchids, 30 species of wild ginger, over 600 species of ferns and two species of Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower. You will also have a chance to see rare plants like slipper orchids, medicinal plants, and pitcher plants in the Kinabalu Mountain Garden. The park is also said to be home to more than 300 species of birds.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve
Tabin Wildlife Reserve, which covers an area of around 120,500ha, is an enormous dipterocarp rainforest landscape in the eastern part of Sabah, with a great diversity of flora and fauna many of which are endangered and protected species. The resident wildlife includes the Sumatran Rhinoceros, the Borneo Pygmy Elephants and the Crested Serpent Eagles. The varied birdlife includes about 42 indigenous families from 220 species, which include at least 7 out of Sabah’s 8 hornbill specites and a variety of others. In addition to the flora and fauna the star attraction within the park are the unique “Mud Volcanoes” which create a mineral salt lick for most of the residents of the forest.
Crocker Range National Park
This park is about 139,919 ha and is made up of dense forest. It is located in the craggy Range dividing the western coastal plains from the rest of Sabah. The Rafflesia, can also be found here as well as other flora and fauna. It is also home to primates such as the orang utan, gibbons and furry tarsiers. Long-tailed macaques, bears, civet cats and wild pigs and bird species such as hornbills, pheasants and partridges.
